PhD student - Investigating solvent effects in the dynamics of biologically relevant model systems like nucleobases

Work group:

FS-CFEL-CMI

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Starting date:

27.12.2023

Job description:

DESY

The CFEL Controlled Molecule lmaging group (CMI) develops innovative methods to obtain full control over molecules and nanoparticles. These methods and the created controlled samples are exploited in fundamental physics and chemistry studies to unravel the underlying mechanisms of chemistry and biology by watching molecules at work.The dynamics of molecules strongly depends on their environment. Hydrogen bonds are an important interaction for these effects and thus are of universal importance in (bio)chemistry. It is of great interest to bridge the gap between single isolated molecules and molecules in solvation. This is the aim of the current project, which is conducted within the International Helmholtz Graduate School HELIOS and in close collaboration with the groups of Francesca Calegari in Hamburg and Per Johnson and Mathieu Gisselbrecht at Lund University. This research builds on the unique solvated-molecule preparation and imaging techniques available in our group and our collaborators' experience with ultrafast laser experiments.

About your role:

• You will investigate how individual water molecules in microsolvated (bio)molecules influences the ultrafast electronic and molecular dynamics of the biologically relevant molecules
• You will conduct experiments in our own laser laboratory and at large scale facilities such as XFEL, FLASH, and MAXIV
• You will analyze the obtained data using state-of-the-art computational tools, including Python
• You will interpret the scientific results and put them into the context of the current knowledge
• You will publish the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• You will present your results at international conferences

About you:

• A university degree in physics, chemical physics, or a comparable relevant field. Preference will be given to candidates with a completed MSc
• Experience in areas covering quantum mechanics, molecular physics, molecular dynamics, molecular beams, vacuum equipment, ultrafast laser sources including optics, and programming
• Experience with large-scale facilities such as synchrotrons or free-electron lasers is an advantage
• Excellent communication skills in English and/or German are required

Look forward to a unique working environment on our international research campus. Respectful cooperation and the well-being of our DESY employees are particularly important to us. Gender equality is an important aspect for us. To support work life balance we offer flexible working hours, variable part-time, job-sharing models and participation in mobile work (up to 50%). You will benefit from our family-friendly and collegial atmosphere, our established health management and occupational pension provision. As a public funded employer, we offer you a secure workplace and facilitate your individual career with our comprehensive training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to the regulations of the TV-AVH. DESY offers its employees a financial supplement for a German job ticket at both locations.

We look forward to receiving your application via our application portal:

Apply now 

DESY promotes the professional development of women and therefore strongly encourages women to apply for the position to be filled. In addition, severely handicapped persons with equal aptitude are given preferential consideration. The advertised positions are basically suitable for part-time employment.

You can find further information here: www.desy.de/career/

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Personalabteilung | Notkestraße 85 | 22607 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 8998-3392

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.